A spring look from Maria Cornejo's collection, which will be shown in Denver March 16 by MAX.

New York designer Maria Cornejo[2] will be in Denver March 16 for the annual MAX Fashion Show presented by Denver-based retailer Max Martinez.

The runway show will be held along with a cocktail party and reception at the Exdo Event Center[3] and will showcase Zero + Maria Cornejo’s spring/summer 2012 collection. The designer will also make a personal appearance at the MAX store in Cherry Creek North earlier in the day.

Proceeds from both events will be donated to the Mike McMorris Cystic Fibrosis Center[4] in the Breathing Institute at Children’s Hospital Colorado, helping children and families affected by cystic fibrosis.

Martinez said he asked Cornejo to do the show because her collection is modern and appeals to a variety of women. MAX carries the label exclusively in Colorado, and the brand is worn by such celebrities as Michelle Obama, Tilda Swinton, Sandra Bullock and Cameron Diaz. Cornejo was a finalist for the Fashion Prize of the 2005 Smithsonian Cooper Hewitt National Design Awards, and received the award in 2006.

This is Martinez’ 26th year for doing the charity show and previous efforts have benefited such organizations as Volunteers of America’s Brandon Center. This year they chose the Mike McMorris Cystic Fibrosis Center in the Breathing Institute in Children’s Hospital Colorado because one of their customers and friends, Kathleen Beatty, has a daughter who spent many of the early years of her life being treated for CF and Children’s. Beatty’s daughter Piper, 30, who is a writer and law school graduate living in New York City, recently underwent a double lung transplant. She will share her story at the fashion show.

Individual tickets for the show March 16 Tickets start at $50 and go up to $500 per person. Doors open at 7:30pm and the show begins at 8:30pm. The event is for guests 21 years and older. Purchase tickets and get more information at the Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation website[6].